Machine for exterminating rodentia or the like.



Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

IIIIIIIIIIJ B. WATTS.

MACHINE FOR EXTERMINATING RODENTIA OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24. I9I8.

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BEN warms, or JARBIDGE, NEVADA, ASSIGNOR. or FORTY-NINE ONE-HUNDREDTHS To WARREN P. GODFREY, or JARBIDGE, NEVADA.

IlllIACI-IINE FOR EXTERMINA'IING RODENTIA OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 25, 1919,

Application filed April 24, 1918. Serial No. 230,511.

' is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in machines for exterminating rodentia and has relation more particularly to a machine of this general character which is adapted to expel fumes poisonous to animal life and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including a disch'arg: ing nozzle in communication with a source of poisonous fumes or vapor together with pneumatic means for effecting the discharge of such fumes or vapors through the nozzle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character which is adapted to be supported by the body of the operator to gether with manually perating meansfor creating a current of alr to effect the desired discharge of fumes or vapors fatal to animal life such as ground squirrels, rats and other rodentia.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar rangement of the several parts of my 1m proved machine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the devlce rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the acco=mpanyin'g drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustratinga machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in section of my improved machine as herein disclosed.

As disclosed in the accompanying 'draw ings C denotes a cylindrical casing havlng its ends closed by the heads .1 and which heads are held to the casing C through the medium of the bolts 2 suitably engaged with the outstanding ears 3 carried by the peripheral portions of the heads 1. The central portion of one of the heads 1 is provided with an opening 3 to permit ingress of air within the casing C. The openlng 3 is intersected by the arm 45 and said arm 4 and the second head 1 afford a mounting for the shaft 5 arranged at the axial center of the casing C. Arranged within the casing C and mounted upon the shaft 5 is a fan F including the hub 6 through whichthe shaft 5 is disposed and which hub 6 is secured to the shaft 5 for rotation therewith through the medium of the binding screw 7 The shaft 5 is provided with an extended portion to which is afiixed a gear 8 in mesh with a second and larger gear 9 rotatably supported by a head 1. Carried by-the gear 9 is another and smaller gear 10-which is in mesh with a materially large gear 11 rotatably supported by the adjacent head 1. The gear 11 has suitably aflixed thereto a handle member 12 whereby the same may be readily rotated. The ratio of the several gears is such that the shaft 5 will be caused to rotate at a relatively high speed upon a comparatively slow rotation of the gear 11.

B denotes a hollow body having one end portion anchored through the medium of a plate 14 arranged at opposite sides thereof and the coacting bolts 15 to the casing C. Depending from the body B are the spaced wings 16 between which is secured a receptacle or container R. The receptacle or container R has arranged therein a box 17 having its bottom and certain of its walls perforated. The box 17 is adapted to contain suitable materiallcapable of giving off fumes or vapors fatal to'anim'al life. In practice I prefer to generate the poisonous fumes or vapor by burning waste saturated with crude oil and covered with sulfur. It is to be noted that the bottom wall and a side wall of the box 17 is spaced from the corresponding or adjacent walls of the 'receptacle or container R whereby a suitable passageway 18 is provided.

' The outer portion of the box B is reduced as indicated at 19 and is continued by the and to the outer end portion of which a flexible tubing 21 or the like may be secured when the occasions of practice may require. Arranged within the body B is a longitudinally disposed pipe 22 terminating in wardly of the reduced portion 19 0f the box and in alinement with the nozzle or pipe 20. The inner portion of the pipe 22' terminates in an angular extension 23 disposed toward the receptacle or container R in communication with the box 17. The'fumes or vapors generated within the box 17 are carried off bythe pipe 122 and discharged through the nozzleorpipe' 20. v

"The inner end of the body B is-open' as is also the adjacent peripheral wall of the casing C, (between the points a as indicated in Fig.1),so that the blast or current of air generated by the fan F may be received within said bodyand a portion of this current or "blast of air passes through the passageway 18 and upwardly through the box 17'and through the pipe 22. The force of the air current or blast assures the discharge of the poisonous fumes or vapors. A portion of the air current or blast also passes directly through the body 13 into the nozzle orpipe 20 whereby the requisite discharge of the fumes or vapors generated within the box 17 is further assured.

Pivota-lly [engaged at one end with the casing-or more particularly between the heads 1 thereof is an elongated plate 24 extending inwardly of the bodyB and across the en tranceend of the passageway 18. The free end of the plate 22 is provided'with a downwardly directed and inwardly curved lip or extension f 25 positioned beyond the entrance end of the passageway 18 whereby a regulating-valve is 'orovided for controlling the air forced through the passageway 18. Depending from the plate 24 at a point inwardlyof the lip "or extension 23 is a wing or fiange26 "which serves to prevent the air from passing below the lip or extension 25 from'return'ing within the casing C and to deflect suchair into the passageway 18.

To effect the-desired adjustment of the plate 24 l find it of advantage to thread through the inner portion of the body B the screw 27 having its inner end portion operatively engaged with the plate 24. Interposed between the plate 24: and the adjacent wall of the body B is a retractile member 28 which constantly urges the plate 24: in a direction away from the entrance end of the passageway 18. By the requisite rotation of the screw '27 the plate 24-or more particu larly the lip or extension 25 thereof may be adjusted to properly regulate the air forced into the passage 18 by "the fan F.

The inner portion'of the face of the body B opposed tothe receptacle or container R is arranged on an angle of substantially 45 and extending outwardly from said inclined portion 29 is a hand grasp or handle member 30 to facilitate the handling of the machine during a working operation.

Engaged with certain of the bolts 2 is a strap 81 or the like which is adapted to'be disposed over a shoulder or the operator so that the device may be readily and conveniently carried.

The wall of the receptacle or container R adjacent the screw 27 is provided-with an opening with which coacts a swinging closure member or door 32. Pivotally engaged with the closure-member or door32 is a latchmember 38 provided with an angular extension 34: adapted to extendinwardly of the outer portion or head of the screw 27 and contact therewith for maintaining said closure member or door in closed position.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a machine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of' the convenience and facility with which it may beassenrbled and operated and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification with out departing from the principles-and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understoodas limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation 'of the *several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

In practice after the cartridge or material to be burnt to generate the poisonous fumes or vapor is inserted within the receptacle R and lighted, the door 82 is :not closed until after the fan F has been initially rota-ted at a relatively low speed as by keeping the door 32 open the currents of air generated by the fan are prevented from smothering the fire. After a short period of time the door '32 is closedand the fan F rotated at-a greater speed and the resulting air currents will pass directly through the body B toward the nozzle 20 and also downwardly through the passageway 18 and through the box 17-and thereby causing the fumesor vapors to be discharged from the pipe 22 toward the nozzle '20. The discharge of said vapor or fumes through the nozzle 20 is facilitated by the air current passing directly through the box B. Travel of air through the passageway 18 is assured by the direction of the rotation of the fan F and which fan rotates in a direction toward the receptacle R from above as indicated by the arrow 2') in Fig. 1.

I claim:

1. A machine of the class described comprising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a

fume generatin box within the container and having a wall perforated; said container having a passageway leading from the body to the perforate wall of the box, apipe arranged within the body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge opening, and means for forcin an air current through the body and throug the container and pipe.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a fume generating box within the container and having a wall perforated, said container having a passageway leading from the body to the perforate wall of the box, a pipe arranged within the body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge openlng, means for forcing an air current through the body and through the container and pipe, and a valve coacting with the entrance end of the passageway.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a fume generating box within the container and having a wall perforated, said container having a passageway leading from the body to the perforate wall of the box, a pipe arranged within the. body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge opening, means for forcing an air current through the body and through the container and pipe, a swinging valve overlying the entrance to the passageway, and means extending exteriorly of the box and coacting with the box for adjusting the same.

4. A machine of the class described C0111- prising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a fume generating box within the container and having a wall perforated, said container having a passageway leadin from the body to the perforate wall of t e box, a pipe arranged within the body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge opening, means for forcing an air current through the Copies of this patent may be obtained for body and through the container and pipe, and a swinging valve arranged within the box and overlying the entrance to the passageway, said valve being provided with a wing for preventing passage of air beyond the entrance of the passageway.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a fume, generating box within the container and having a wall perforated, said container having a passageway leading from the body to the perforate wall of the box, a pipe arranged within the body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge opening, means for forcing an air current through the body and through the container and pipe, and a swinging valve arranged within the box and overlying the entrance to the passageway, said valve being provided with a wing for preventing passage of air beyond the entrance to the passageway, the outer end of the valve being provided with a lateral extension disposed in a direction toward the container.

6. A machine of the class described comprising a hollow body having a discharge opening, a container carried by the body, a fume generating box within the container and havlng a wall perforated, said container and body having a passageway leading from the body to the perforate wall of the box, a pipe arranged within the body and in communication with the box and terminating in close proximity to the discharge opening, a casing carried by the body and in communication therewith, a fan within the casing, and means for rotating the fan in a direction toward the container from above.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' BEN WATTS.

' A Witnesses:

NEWTON CRUMLEY, WINTHROP W. FISK.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

